Internal-combustion engine



C. B. ASHWORTH.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I3, 1919.

1 ,354 274, Patented Sept. 28, 1920.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. ASHWORTH, or DETROIT, MICHIGA INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed December 13, 1919. Serial No.. 344,656.

and tate of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in internal combustion engines, and

it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved accessory to afford "communication between the air intake of the carbureter and the crank case so that the combustible mixture which may leak past the piston into the crank. case can be recovered and the energy thereof employed.

Another object of the invention is to. provide a connection between the intake of a carbureter and the crank case whereby the combustible mixture entering within is drawn therefrom upon the suction stroke of the piston, and which results in an increased efiiciency of the lubricating means within the crank case, as said combustible mixture is prevented from diluting such lubricating medium. i The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved internal combustion engine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that'my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Flgure 1 is an elevational View of a somewhat diagrammatic character, illustratlng an accessory constructed in accordance with the embodiment of my invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in side elevation, of my 1mproved accessory as herein disclosed- As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, A denotes an air inlet pipe of a conventional type in communication with the carbureter C, and B denotes a crank case of any ordinary or preferred type, and as comprised in an internal combustion engine structure. 1

P denotes a pipe of desired bore, and substantially V-shaped in form, with its apex upwardly directed when in applied position. The pipe P possesses a certain degree of flexibility so that the same may be readily adjusted to effect the requisite connections on couplings for its opposite ex-v tremities.

One end-portion of the pipe P is adapted to have communication with the crank casing B through the top thereof, while the opposite end portion of the pipe P is adapted for communication with the intake pipe A, so that upon the suction stroke of a piston comprised in the engine structure, the com bustible mixture which may have escaped past the piston into the crank case B will be drawn back to the carbureter, and from thence to a cylinder, whereby said mixture, which would otherwise be lost, is recovered for its energy.

The pipe has communication with the crank casing B through the top thereof in view of the fact that the combustible mixture therein is lighter than the lubricating medium or oil within the crank casing, and will consequently rise Within the upper or top portion of the crank casing B. It will also be understood that by withdrawing or recovering this combustible mixture within the crank casing B, said mixture is prevented from diluting the lubricating medium or oil, so that the efiiciency of such oil or medium is prolongated a materially increased period of time.

A's disclosed in the accompanying drawings, one end portion of the pipe P is provided with the exterior threads 1, and with which are engaged the nuts 2. The threaded end portion 1 ofthe pipe P is adapted to be inserted suitably through an opening 3' in the wall of the pipe A and said nuts 2 are clamped against the opposite faces of said wall.

The opposite end portion of the pipe P is provided with the exterior threads 4, and with which is engaged the internally threaded skirt 5 carried by the nut 6, The nut 6 is also provided with an exteriorly threaded skirt 7 extending'in a direction away from the skirt 5. The skirt 7- is adapted to be engaged within an opening produced in the upper portion of the crank casing B,

Patented Sept. 28, 1920.

The nut 6 is provided with an internal shouldhr 8 upon which seats the peripheral or marginal portion of a screening element S, herein disclosed, preferably a metal plate, having its central portion provided with a plurality of minute openings 9. When the pipe P. The screening element S readily permits the passage therethrough of the combustible mixture, but serves to effectively baffle or separate the heavier oils which may be drawn within the combustible mixture during the suction stroke of a piston comprised in the engine structure.

It is to be understood, however, that by having the pipe P in communication Wit the crank case B through the upper portion thereof, the drawing of the lubricating medium or oilin the crank case B with the combustible mixture is materially reduced.

It will also be understood that in providing means to separate the heavier lubricating oil or medium from the combustible mixture drawn throu h the pipe P the gumming of the carbureter s and the excessive formation of carbon in the cylinders of the engine structure, is substantially eliminated.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an internal combustion engine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

. 1. The combination with a crank case of an internal .combustion engine and the air intake of a carbureter coacting with said structure, a conduit substantially V-shaped in form with its apex upwardly directed, one end portion of the conduit being in communication with the crankcase through the top wall thereof and secured to said top wall, the opposite end portion being in communication with the air intake secured to a wall thereof.

2. The combination with a crank case of an internal combustion engine and the air intake of a carbureter coacting with said structure, a substantially V-shaped conduit connecting the-upper portion of the crank case and the air intake, the apex of said conduit being upwardly directed, and a screening element positioned within said conduit at the end portion thereof adjacent the crank case.

3. The combination with a crank case of an internal combustion engine and the air intake of a carbureter coacting with said structure, a substantially V-shaped conduit connecting the upper portion of the crank case and the air intake, the apex of said con duit being upwardly directed, and a screening element positioned within said conduit at the end portion thereof adjacent the crank case, said screening element beingsubstantially concavo-convex with the convex face thereof disposed toward the crank case.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. CHARLES B. ASHWORTH. 

